Massachusetts Home Energy Assessment: Common Questions Answered

If you’ve seen ads or heard from neighbors about a “free home energy assessment,” you probably have questions. What exactly is it? Is it really no-cost? Who qualifies? What happens after the visit? These are the questions we hear most often from homeowners across Cape Cod, the South Shore, and the South Coast.

This guide answers them in plain language, so you can decide with confidence whether an assessment is right for you.

What is a home energy assessment?

A home energy assessment, sometimes called a home energy audit or HEA, is a whole-house evaluation of how your home uses and loses energy. A trained technician looks at the details that affect comfort and efficiency doors and windows, insulation, air leaks, ductwork, and heating and cooling equipment.

At High Efficiency Energy Solutions, we take a “whole house” diagnostic approach, because every detail plays a part in your home’s efficiency. The goal is to give you a clear path toward a more efficient, healthier, and more comfortable home.

Is a Massachusetts home energy assessment really free?

For many homeowners, yes. Through the Mass Save® Home Energy Services program, eligible customers can receive a no-cost home energy assessment. As a participating Mass Save home performance contractor, High Efficiency Energy Solutions provides these assessments in Plymouth, Cape Cod, and surrounding areas.

A few important points:

• Eligibility requirements and restrictions apply. Mass Save is sponsored by Massachusetts’ natural gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers.
• Offers can change. Program details are subject to change or cancellation, so it’s smart to confirm current information at MassSave.com/HEA or by calling us.
• The assessment is not the same as the work. The assessment itself may be no-cost, while recommended improvements such as insulation or air sealing may involve costs, partly offset by incentives and financing.

For a deeper look at pricing, see our related guide on assessment costs, and our overview of what’s included on the Energy Assessment.

Who qualifies for the assessment?

Eligibility generally depends on factors such as your utility provider, your home type, and your heating fuel. Many Massachusetts homeowners qualify, and program rules also cover other situations, including some renters and owners of rental properties. Landlord approval may be needed for certain work in a rental.

Because requirements can vary and change, the easiest way to find out is to call us. We’ll walk you through the basics when you schedule. If you own a rental property, you may also want to read about why an energy audit makes sense for rental properties.

What happens during the assessment?

You can read a step-by-step overview on our What to Expect page. In general, the visit includes:

A walkthrough of your home. The technician inspects areas such as the attic, basement or crawl space, walls, windows, and doors, looking at insulation levels and places where air can leak.

Diagnostic testing. Many assessments use testing to find air leaks and heat loss that aren’t visible to the eye. This helps make recommendations based on evidence, not guesswork.

A look at your heating and cooling. Your equipment and ductwork are part of the picture, since leaky ducts and poorly performing systems can waste energy.

A review of safety and comfort factors. Because changes to your home’s air tightness can affect indoor air, a careful assessment considers health and safety as well as savings.

Recommendations. You’ll learn which improvements make the most sense for your home, and in what order.

How long does it take?

The length of a visit depends on your home’s size and complexity. Larger homes or homes with more areas to evaluate may take longer. When you schedule, we can give you a better sense of timing for your particular property.

Do I need to prepare anything?

You don’t need to do much, but a few things help the visit go smoothly:

• Make sure the technician can access areas like the attic, basement, crawl space, and mechanical room.
• Have a recent utility bill handy if you can. It helps provide context for your energy use.
• Mention any problem spots, such as cold rooms, drafty windows, ice dams, or uneven temperatures.
• Let us know about any upcoming projects, like a new heating system or renovation, so recommendations fit your plans.

Do I have to buy anything after the assessment?

No. An assessment gives you information and recommendations, and you decide what to do next. You can act on all of them, some of them, or none, and you can move at your own pace.

What improvements might the assessment recommend?

Every home is different, but common recommendations include:

Air sealing and weatherization. Closing gaps and leaks that let conditioned air escape. Learn more about air sealing and weatherization.

Insulation. Adding or upgrading insulation to keep your home comfortable year-round, including options like spray foam insulation.

Duct sealing and Aeroseal. Sealing leaky ducts so the air you pay to heat or cool actually reaches your rooms.

Thermostat upgrades. Installing controls that help you manage heating and cooling more effectively.

HVAC improvements. Getting the most from your system, or planning for an upgrade. Our HVAC system assessment explains how we evaluate equipment.

Why is the order of upgrades important?

This is one of the most valuable things an assessment can teach you. If your home leaks air and lacks insulation, your heating and cooling system has to work much harder. Sealing and insulating first can reduce your home’s overall energy needs, which can influence the size and type of equipment you eventually choose. Buying new equipment first, without addressing the building, can mean paying for more capacity than you need.

What incentives and financing are available?

Massachusetts offers help for qualifying energy improvements.

Mass Save® incentives. Eligible insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, and thermostat work may qualify for program incentives. The specifics vary and can change, so it’s best to confirm current details.

HEAT Loans and rebates. Financing options can help spread out the cost of qualifying upgrades. Our Heat Loans and Rebates page explains the options.

Help with paperwork. We handle the paperwork for the program, which makes the process easier for you. One customer told us that our team made insulating their home “such an easy experience” and took care of all the paperwork.

It’s also worth knowing how responsibility is divided under the program. Incentives and work quality assurance are provided by the Mass Save program sponsors and lead vendors, while the home performance contractor is responsible for the actual work and the warranties provided through the program.

Will an assessment help if my home is old?

Often, older homes benefit the most. Many Cape Cod and South Shore homes were built before modern energy codes, and they can have air leaks, thin or missing insulation, and aging ductwork. An assessment helps you find the high-impact fixes in a house with a long history, without guessing or replacing things you don’t need to.

Will it help with comfort, or only with bills?

Both. Lower energy bills are a big reason people call us, but comfort is just as important. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can help reduce drafts, even out temperatures between rooms, and keep spaces cozier in winter and cooler in summer. Properly addressed, these improvements can also support healthier indoor air and a lower carbon footprint. That’s the combination we describe as a more comfortable house, healthier air quality, a smaller footprint, and more money in your wallet.

Does my information stay private?

When you schedule an HEA, you agree to share your submitted information with the Mass Save® sponsors, vendors, and contractors, and your community First Partner if applicable, solely to support your participation in Mass Save. According to the program’s terms, your information won’t be shared with other entities or used for purposes other than providing assistance with services related to Mass Save.

Which areas do you serve?

High Efficiency Energy Solutions serves Cape Cod, the South Shore, and the South Coast. You can see the full list on our Service Areas page, or call us to check whether your town is covered.

Why choose High Efficiency Energy Solutions?

• Experience and training. Our technicians are exceptionally trained in whole-house diagnostics.
• Personalized solutions. We tailor recommendations to your home, not a one-size-fits-all package.
• Local understanding. We know the climate and housing conditions that shape energy use in our region.
• One call, start to finish. From the first assessment through the finished project, our team is with you every step of the way.
• A focus on satisfaction. Your satisfaction is our priority, from your first consultation to the final installation and beyond.

Ready to schedule your assessment?

If you have more questions, we’re happy to answer them. When you’re ready to find out how much energy your home is wasting and what you can do about it, contact High Efficiency Energy Solutions.

Call 774-205-2001, email Scheduler@highefficiencyenergysolutions.com, or visit our contact page. Our office is located at 378 Route 130, Sandwich, MA 02563, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Eligibility requirements and restrictions apply, and Mass Save® offers are subject to change or cancellation. Visit MassSave.com/HEA for further details.